Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-08

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

Nowadays famous people are photographed by professional photographers everywhere they go. Some people say this is a good thing because the public are interested in their lives. Other people think that photographers are wrong to follow famous people.

Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Student answer (Band 7.5)

Nowadays, famous people are frequently photographed by professional photographers wherever they go. While some people believe that this is a positive development because the public is interested in the private lives of celebrities, others argue that photographers should not constantly follow them. This essay will discuss both views before explaining why I believe that celebrities' privacy should be respected.

On the one hand, there are several reasons why people support photographers taking pictures of famous individuals. Firstly, celebrities attract considerable public attention, and many people are genuinely interested in their lifestyles, activities and achievements. For example, fans may enjoy seeing pictures of their favourite actors or singers attending events, travelling or participating in social activities. Secondly, celebrity photographs provide entertainment and content for newspapers, magazines and online platforms. As a result, professional photographers and media organisations can satisfy the public's curiosity while also earning money from this type of content.

On the other hand, constantly following famous people can be considered inappropriate because they also deserve privacy in their personal lives. Being well-known does not mean that a person should lose the right to spend private time without being photographed. For instance, a celebrity who is having dinner with family members or taking a holiday may feel uncomfortable if photographers continuously follow them and take pictures. In some cases, this behaviour can cause stress and may even put celebrities and their family members at risk. Therefore, photographers should avoid interfering with people's personal lives simply to satisfy public curiosity.

In my opinion, although the public's interest in famous people is understandable, photographers should respect their privacy. I believe that taking photographs at public events, such as award ceremonies or official appearances, is reasonable because celebrities are aware that they are being photographed. However, following them during their private time should not be considered acceptable.

In conclusion, while photographs of celebrities can satisfy public interest and provide entertainment, constantly following famous people can seriously affect their privacy and well-being. Therefore, I believe that photographers should maintain a reasonable boundary between public interest and private life.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the task. You have clearly discussed both sides of the argument—the public interest in celebrity lives and the ethical concerns regarding privacy—and provided a clear, consistent personal opinion throughout the essay. The ideas are well-developed, with relevant examples such as celebrities attending events versus being followed during private family time. The structure is logical, and the position is maintained from the introduction through to the conclusion. To reach a higher band, you could further deepen the analysis by exploring the nuance of the 'public figure' status in the digital age, but the current development is sufficient for a high score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay demonstrates a clear logical progression. Each paragraph has a central topic sentence, and the ideas flow smoothly from one to the next. You use a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'On the one hand', 'Firstly', 'Secondly', and 'In conclusion', which help guide the reader through your argument. Paragraphing is used appropriately, with each section serving a distinct purpose. The referencing is clear, and there is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive linking. The overall structure is coherent and professional, making the essay very easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases like 'genuinely interested', 'satisfy the public's curiosity', and 'maintain a reasonable boundary' are used accurately and naturally. While the vocabulary is appropriate and effective, it leans towards standard, functional language rather than highly sophisticated or idiomatic expressions. To push into the higher bands, you could incorporate more precise collocations or less common lexical items related to media ethics or privacy rights. However, the current range is more than adequate for the task and shows good control.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a high level of grammatical control. You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures effectively, such as the conditional-like structure in 'If photographers continuously follow them...' and the concessive clause in 'Although the public's interest... is understandable'. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your punctuation is accurate throughout. There are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication. The writing is fluent and demonstrates a solid grasp of English syntax, which is consistent with a high level of proficiency.

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